The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction | Page 4

depredations of snakes and monkeys, to which they might otherwise fall a prey.
In Dr. Latham's collection is a specimen of the taylor bird's nest, composed of a single large leaf, of a fibrous rough, texture, about six inches long independent of the stalk, five inches and a half in breadth, and ending in a point. The sides of this leaf are drawn together so as to meet within three-quarters of an inch; within is the nest, about four inches deep and two broad, opening at the top; the bottom of the leaf is drawn upwards, to assist in the support of it. The interior nest is composed of white down, with here and there a feather and a small portion of white down intermixed.
Another nest of this bird has also been described as composed of several leaves, like those of some kind of hazel sewed together; the inner nest formed of dry bents, fibres, and hairs, suspended from a tree. It is, therefore, probable that this bird, as well as some others, varies the structure of its nest as occasion and the materials may require. These singular works are performed by the bird's using his bill instead of a needle, and vegetable fibres for thread.
The _Rufous Bee-eater_, or _Merops Rufus_, constructs also a very singular nest. This bird is a native of Buenos Ayres; the nest is built generally on the naked great branch of a tree, sometimes on the windows of houses, a fence, or a projecting beam of a high house or other building; it is composed of earth, in the form of a baker's oven, and is often built in the short space of two days, both birds being engaged in its construction; it is six inches in diameter, and one thick; a division is within, beginning at the entrance, and carried circularly, so that the eggs are deposited in the inner chamber, on a bed of grass. The swallow and other birds often attempt to obtain possession of this nest, but are generally repulsed by the owners.
Many of the _Orioles'_ nests are also deserving notice. The _black and yellow Oriole_, inhabiting South America, has a pendent nest, shaped like an alembic; it is affixed to the extreme branches of trees; sometimes, it is said, so many as four hundred nests are found hanging on the same tree.
The Philippine and Pensile Grosbeak make also very curious nests.
In concluding this account of the nests of birds, I may notice here the nest of the _Hirundo esculenta_, or _Esculent Swallow_, an inhabitant of China and the Islands of the Indian Ocean. The nest consists of a gelatinous substance, in shape resembling an apple cut down the middle. The nests are found in great numbers together, and are by the luxurious Asiatics made into broths, and otherwise cooked, and are esteemed one of the greatest dainties of the table; they are also occasionally used for glue.--_Jennings's Ornithologia_.
[1] We are pleased therefore to commence our Supplementary Sheet with such a volume as the present, which we have reserved for this purpose. The feelings which it must engender in the reader will be doubly grateful in these troublous times of strong political excitement: they enjoin "peace on earth, and goodwill towards men." the Divine antidote to the storms of conflicting interests and passions, and the balm which heals the thorny wounds of the world, that cross every path and tear the finest sympathies of our nature. It adds, moreover, a pleasant variety to the contents of our sheet, and alternates with the vicissitudes of enterprise, in the progress of infant liberty in the New World, as in the Memoirs of the patriot _Miller_;--the daring and recklessness of crime, as in the vivid sketch of _First and Last_;--the picturesque country and ceremonies of Arabia and its religious people, as drawn by _Burckhardt_;--and the architectural embellishment of the Metropolis, as shown in _Britton's Picture of London_.
[2] In the MIRROR, dated March 1, 1828, we noticed "Gilbert White's Natural History of Selborne, is one of the most delightful household books in our language, and we are surprised at the rarity of such works." The publication of the _Journal of a Naturalist_, early in March, 1829, is "a coincidence."
[3] Philosophers and wits have written on this subject. Sir Thomas Brown, who wrote a book of _Vulgar Errors_, remarks with great seriousness that the man "who could eradicate this error from the minds of the people, might prevent the fearful passions of the heart, and many cold sweats taking place in grandmothers and nurses"--Swift lets fly the shafts of satire in these lines.--
A woodworm That lies in old wood, like a hare in her form; With teeth, or with claws, it will bite, or will scratch; And chambermaids christen this worm a death-watch; Because, like a watch,